“I have inferred that Mr. Hardy does not like him.”

“Considering my words carefully, I should say that Mr. Hardy does not like Mr. Van Zoon and that Mr. Van Zoon does not like Mr. Hardy.”

“I’m not seeking to be intrusive, but is it just business rivalry?”

“You are not intrusive, Master Robert.  But my knowledge seldom extends beyond matters of business.”

“Which means that you might be able to tell me, but you deem it wiser not to do so.”

“The storm increases, Master Robert.  The snow is almost blinding.  I repeat that it is a most excellent fire before which we are standing.  Mr. Hardy and your friends will be here presently and we shall have food.”

“It seems to me, Master Jonathan, that the people of New York eat much and often.”

“It sustains life and confers a harmless pleasure.”

“To return a moment to Adrian Van Zoon.  You say that his ships are upon every sea.  In what trade are they engaged, mostly?”

“In almost everything, Master Robert.  They say he does much smuggling—­but I don’t object to a decent bit of smuggling—­and I fear that certain very fast vessels of his know more than a little about the slave trade.”

“I trust that Mr. Hardy has never engaged in such a traffic.”

“You may put your mind at rest upon that point, Master Robert.  No amount of profit could induce Mr. Hardy to engage in such commerce.”

Mr. Hardy, Tayoga and Willet came in presently, and the merchant remained a while after his dinner.  The older men smoked pipes and talked together and Robert and Tayoga looked out at the driving snow.  Tayoga had received a letter from Colonel William Johnson that morning, informing him that all was well at the vale of Onondaga, and the young Onondaga was pleased.  They were speaking of their expected departure to join Braddock’s army, but they had heard from Willet that they were to remain longer than they had intended in New York, as the call to march demanded no hurry.

CHAPTER XII

THE SLAVER

Robert spent more days in New York, and they were all pleasant.  His own handsome face and winning manner would have made his way anywhere, but it became known universally that a great interest was taken in him by Mr. Benjamin Hardy, who was a great figure in the city, a man not to be turned lightly into an enemy.  It also seemed that some mystery enveloped him—­mystery always attracts—­and the lofty and noble figure of the young Onondaga, who was nearly always by his side, heightened the romantic charm he had for all those with whom he came in contact.  Both Hardy and Willet urged him to go wherever he was asked by the great, and clothes fitted to such occasions were provided promptly.

“I am not able to pay for these,” said Robert to Willet when he was being measured for the first of his fine raiment.